Sacramento, California-based California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the agency responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems, has announced the deactivation and closure of the Deuel Vocational Institution located in Tracy, California.
The closure impacts approximately 1,080 staff members and approximately 1,500 inmates.
Although the decision was included in the 2020 multi-year state budget plan, it appears that the driving impetus was political and associated with the decriminalization of certain offenses, the reduction in inmate counts to meet health, safety, and security requirements imposed by the courts, and the reduction of costs.
According to a Department spokesperson, “Given the need to achieve savings and the decline in the prison population since 2007 the state budget called for the closure of a prison. DVI was chosen for closure based on cost to operate, impact of closure on the workforce, and population housing needs, and prioritization of public safety and rehabilitation. The reasons this institution was selected for closure are not a reflection of its quality of work and care, and we could not be prouder of the commitment of our dedicated staff, as well as the accomplishments DVI has amassed over its 67 year history.”
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